Peyronie’s Disease Specialist in Dallas, TX

Dr. Wierschem is very experienced in caring for men with Peyronie’s disease. He utilizes several non-invasive, minimally invasive non-surgical as well as surgical techniques in his approach to improving and curing this condition. With hundreds of men treated, he is a leader in helping men suffering from Peyronie’s Disease throughout the Dallas area at his offices in Plano and McKinney.

What is Peyronie’s Disease?

When scar tissue or inflammation develops under the skin of the penis due to trauma or minor injury, Peyronie’s (PAY-ROE-NEEZ) disease may occur. This can result in the penis becoming bent or indented during an erection, which can cause increased pain or difficulty with intercourse.

What are the Symptoms of Peyronie’s Disease?

Because Peyronie’s disease will have effects that are both tangible and visible, the symptoms are commonly noticeable to the naked eye. In over 70% of cases, the scar tissue will develop on the top of the penis causing it to bend upwards during an erection. If the scar tissues develop on the bottom or side of the penis, it will bend downward or sideways during an erection. In rare cases, the scar tissue may develop all around the penis, causing the shaft to narrow and become very hard.

If you are experiencing any of the following, you may be experiencing Peyronie’s disease:

Pain during sex, or pain during an erection.

Hard spots or lumps in the penis.

Bends or curves in the penis.

Narrowing or shortening of the penis.

What Causes Peyronie’s Disease?

Most often there is no obvious reason for the Peyronie’s disease, however, it can be caused by injury to the penis due to sports athletic activity, aggressive sex, or an accident of some sort. However, there have been cases in which the disease is part of a larger autoimmune issue. If the disease attacks cells within the penis, it can lead to inflammation and scarring.

Because the chances of getting Peyronie’s disease increases with age due to changes in the elasticity of the penis, men over the age of 50 are more commonly affected. In addition, men with a more active sexual lifestyle that may cause injuries to the penis, or men who have a family history of Peyronie’s disease have a higher chance of developing it over their lifetime.

How is Peyronie’s Disease Diagnosed?

With or without an erection, Peyronie’s disease can most often be diagnosed in a physical exam. If scar tissue is felt, you may be given an injectable drug to create an erection and check how your penis curves or narrows. In addition, an ultrasound or X-ray may be ordered to get an accurate location of the buildup of scar tissue. This will allow for a proper treatment plan to be designed.

How is Peyronie’s Disease Treated?

The overall goal of treatment is to reduce pain and strengthen the ability to have intercourse. If you are not experiencing pain and having very little issues with penile curvature, you may not need treatment until the symptoms progress. In a few cases, the disease will resolve itself without any treatment.

This can include decreasing the amount of vigorous sexual activity or aggressive sports and quitting any smoking, illegal drugs, or alcohol consumption.

Dr. Wierschem offers a variety of treatment options both surgical and non-surigcal to men in the Dallas. Each treatment is individualized based on the patient’s symptoms and degree of angulation.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Medications – Over the counter medications can be used but have shown little effect

Topical creams – These are directly to the affected area but also have shown little improvement

Injectable agents – These can be injected directly into the Peyronie’s plaque with optimistic results in many cases

Vacuum therapy – Can be very helpful with improving the curvature and maintaining/improving penile length

Traction therapy – Several devices are now available that have shown good improvement in penile curvature and preserving/maintaining penile length

P-Shot®– Studies have shown improvement in penile curvature and length as well as Erectile Dysfunction with this minimally invasive treatment

Shockwave Therapy– When applied directly to the affected area, this treatment has been shown to improve the pain and curvature associated with Peyronie’s

The best results are typically found in patients who combine several of these treatments and most can ultimately avoid surgery if diligent in their use.

Surgical Treatments

If you are experiencing severe issues with penile curvature or pain, surgery may be recommended. The type of surgery will depend on the severity but could include any of the following:

Lue Penile Plication – This is a very effective treatment for mild to moderate cases of Peyronie’s. It is typically a 15 -20 minute outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort and results are immediate.

Plaque excision with grafting – This is a much more complex operation that is typically performed for severe cases and can be associated with much more significant complications/side effects.

Penile Implant – This can be an excellent procedure for patients who have severe penile curvature with associated significant erectile dysfunction.

Schedule an Appointment

If you suffer from penile curvature, schedule a consultation with Dr. Wierschem at our offices in Plano or McKinney at (972) 596-6733.